Trolling sinker



March 6, 1962 H. J. MADSON 3,023,537

TROLLING SINKER Filed Aug. 2, 1960 INVENTOR. HERMAN J. MADSON ATTORNEYS 3,023,537 TRQLLING SINKER Herman Johan Madson, 1419 SE. Reservoir Ave, Roseburg, Greg. Filed Aug. 2, 1960, Ser. No. 47,013 2 Claims. (Cl. 4343.13)

This invention relates to a trolling sinker, and has as its primary object the provision of a device which is used in fishing, designed to take the place of the ordinary sinker, which, by suitable adjustment may be made to stay in a predetermined distance beneath the surface of the water during the trolling operation.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a device of this sort which employs a horizontal plane member and a vertical rudder member, the angle of the plane being variable relative to that of the rudder to control the depth to which the hook is allowed to sink while trolling.

As conducive to a clear understanding of this invention, it may here be pointed out that in conventional trolling a weight is employed which permits the hook to sink to a required distance beneath the depth of the water. This depth, however, will vary widely according to the speed at which the trolling is done. An object of the instant invention is to overcome this difliculty since the speed of the trolling operation has little eifect on the level to which the device sinks.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a device which is so designed that by virtue of its shape and construction it is suitable for a flasher, and which also may be adjusted to serve as a rudder to direct the fish hook and weight away from a direct path in the rear of the boat.

Still other objects reside in the provision of a device of this character which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and eflicient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

Other objects reside in combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one form of trlling sinker embodying the instant invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the device of FIG. 1, shown as attached to a trolling line and a leader, an alternative position of adjustment being indicated in dotted lines.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of one of the elements shown as disassembled from the remainder of the device.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, the device of the instant invention, generally indicated at 10, comprises a body 11 which is of generally flat ellipsoidal shape, and which is provided adjacent its arcuate forward end with an opening 12 to which is adapted to be attached a trolling or tow line 13. A second opening 14 is adapted to have secured therein a leader 15 or the like, to the far end of which is attached a hook or lure or multiple hook or other suitable device of similar nature as desired (no-t shown).

A pair of opposed L-shaped plates 17 are pivotally secured adjacent the lower edge of body 11 as by means of a rivet 18 having oppositely disposed heads 19, the rivet extending through the two aligned flanges of the L-shaped members and through a suitable opening in 3,323,537 Patented Mar. 6, 1962 the body 11. The upper portions of each vertical leg 17a terminate in points 21, the points being swivelably mounted by virtue of the rivet 18 relative to the body 11. Suitable indicia lines 20 are positioned on the opposite sides of the body, and converge adjacent the point 21 so that upon rotative movement of the point its position relative to one of the indicia lines will indicate, for reasons to be pointed out hereinafter, the depth to which the trolling sinker will sink before leveling off. The horizontal legs 25 of the L-shaped members extend outwardly on opposite sides of the body portion and form the uppermost of spaced horizontal pairs of plates, the lower plates of which are indicated at 26, and are connected by extensions 27 of the vertical leg 17a, providing a space therebetween. A plane 30 is provided with a central slit 31 and is adapted to be inserted between the upper and lower plates 25 and 26 to a desired depth being stopped by the end 32 of the slot 31, so that the forward end 33 of the plate projects outwardly beyond the end of the body 11. By virtue of this arrangement it will be seen that the plate 30 may be tilted to a desired angle relative to the body 11, and that such tilting will be indicated by the pointer 21 on the indicia lines 20. By the angle of inclination the relative depth to which the sinker Will dive before levelling off may be readily governed.

Score lines 34 or weakened portions may extend angularly rearwardly from the center of the front end 33, and by folding either side 35 or 36 of the plane 30 along its associated fold line, deflection of the device from a normal horizontal plane may be effected, and the trolling sinker directed to one side or the other in accordance with which part is bent, the arrangement being such that the trolling sinker will thus follow to the right or left of the towing boat as desired.

It will be noted that as regards the points of connection to the body 11, the opening 12 can be positioned at points other than those specifically shown in the drawing. Likewise with respect to the exact position of the plates 17 the point of connection as indicated by the rivet 18 can be either forwardly in the direction of the arrows shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawings or rearwardly according to whichever is the best position to accomplish the right balance on the sinker.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved trolling sinker which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A trolling sinker comprised of a normally vertical plate having means for attaching a tow line to one end thereof and a leader to the other end thereof, a pair of oppositely disposed L-shaped members having their vertical legs pivoted to said plate, double flanges comprising the horizontal legs of said L-shaped members, and a normally horizontal slotted plate removably positioned between said double flanges, said normally vertical plate having indicia thereon and the opposite ends of said pivoted vertical legs comprising indicators adjacent said indicia to indicate the angle of inclination of said horizontal plate.

2. A trolling sinker comprised of a normally vertical plate having means for attaching a tow line to one end thereof and a leader to the other end thereof, a pair of oppositely disposed L-shaped members having their vertical legs pivoted to said plate, double flanges comprising the horizontal legs of said L-shaped members, and a normally horizontal slotted plate removably positioned between said double flanges, said normally vertical plate having indicia thereon and the opposite ends of said vertical legs comprising indicators adjacent said indicia to indicate the angle of inclination of said hori- Zontal plate, diagonal fold lines on the forward ends of said horizontal plate to permit bending to provide lateral deflection for said horizontal plate.

References (Iited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

